Penner fires back after Pancake-gate

Los Angeles Kings Dustin Penner during first period action at Rexall Place on March 29, 2011 in Edmonton.

Photograph by: Greg Southam, Edmonton Journal

Last week’s revelation that Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Penner injured his back while eating pancakes conjured a good amount of ridicule.

Penner — not known for his drive or grit on the ice — suffered back spasms when he sat down to eat, what he called, his wife’s “delicious pancakes.”

This week, Penner fired off his view of things to the blog site, Mayorsmanor.com.

Here’s what he had to say: “ . . . they were vegetarian pancakes. The injury happened as I was sitting down to eat, not mid-bite. And yes, I did finish them. There has been some feedback from the media as a whole regarding the lack of transparency involving injuries. So, I decided to be candid.

“First and foremost, I think we can agree that having delicious pancakes that your wife made for breakfast, for a 1 p.m. game, is not out of the norm. Secondly, SOBS (sudden onset back spasms) can occur at any moment, doing just about anything you can think of, and is a very serious issue.

“Those who have experienced SOBS know it is no laughing matter. I’m a little hurt, to tell you the truth, that the plight of my people isn’t being taken seriously.

“Frankly, I don’t mind the attention and there’s no such thing as bad press, right? Apparently, I made it onto ESPN’s Around the Horn and joined Kings’ ATH alumnus Dustin Brown (see: water bottle incident) and have also became a Twitter sensation overnight (with hashtag #pennercakes). So, I’m hoping to get an endorsement from IHOP or Denny’s.’’

Penner also plans to hold a charity pancake fundraiser.

Injury-depleted Oilers’ power play still producing

First, the Edmonton Oilers had to adjust their power play so it could function without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, then Jordan Eberle went down with an injury, leaving the NHL’s fourth-best unit without its two key contributors.

The retooled version sputtered in its first few attempts against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, but did manage to score a goal in the third period. It was the team’s only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss.

“It needs work, and it needs a couple of people,” Oilers coach Tom Renney said. “I expected what I got . . . I thought the first couple might be a little bit of a mishmash, but we settled down and started to define what we want out look to be.”

Karlsson cleared to return to Sens’ lineup

When Erik Karlsson stepped on the ice for the morning skate on Thursday, the Ottawa Senators breathed a sigh of relief.

The 21-year-old defenceman has become such an important part of the team that there was high anxiety when he decided he couldn’t play in Tuesday’s game in Pittsburgh after “tweaking” something in his upper body.

Whatever the injury is exactly — and Karlsson wasn’t clear on this point — it has bothered him before.

“It happened during the warm-up,” Karlsson said. “I was doing things on my own, and just a little tweak and I didn’t feel very good at all.

“I’ve had it before, but not this bad and not right before a game. So we played it safe.”

Selanne steps aside for Perry

Teemu Selanne knew instinctively the right thing to do.

“The MVP should be at the All-Star Game,’’ Selanne, 41, said after surrendering his spot in the NHL All-Star Game to Anaheim Ducks teammate Corey Perry, the reigning Hart Trophy recipient.

“I’m an old guy,’ added Selanne, who has played in 10 all-star games. “That game is for young guys. I’ve been to a lot of these. It’s better that Perry goes.”

The gesture by Selanne — who leads the Ducks with 41 points — caught Perry off guard.

“It surprised me but that’s the way he is,” he said. “He’s a guy that if something else comes up for somebody else, he’s going to help them get there. That’s what he did.’’

No word on Backstrom, Green return

No news is bad news for the Washington Capitals when it comes to the expected returns of injured all-star centre Nicklas Backstrom and defenceman Mike Green.

Backstrom has already missed three games with a concussion courtesy of an elbow from the Calgary Flames’ Rene Bourque. Green, who aggravated a groin injury in San Jose versus the Sharks, has played in only 10 games this season.

Backstrom, who leads the Caps with 42 points and is 15th overall in NHL scoring, was likely left off the all-star roster due to this uncertain return date.

“That’s how it is. What’s he at right then, and the league knows what happened with the elbow,” Capitals coach Dale Hunter said to the Washington Post. “Everybody wants to go to the all-star game. It’s a great honour. Unfortunately, he’s hurt right now and we’ll have to wait and see how he is (Friday).”

Backstrom has joined Twitter — @backstrom19 — in the meantime and he provided the following update Thursday: “Looks like its gonna be another fun day on the couch! Thanks everyone for welcoming me on twitter..! #bored’’

Luongo overrated? Not to Sedin

In an anonymous Sports Illustrated poll of 161 NHL players, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo and centre Ryan Kesler were ranked fourth and ninth, respectively, on a list of the NHL’s most overrated players.

On Thursday, prior to the Canucks playing the Blues in St. Louis, Luongo claimed he didn’t even know about it.

“I don’t care and I really don’t pay attention,” said Luongo.

A teammate does, though.

“It bothers me that they have a poll,” said Canucks captain Henrik Sedin. “How are they overrated? None of those on the list are bad players. I was really surprised by the poll and who was on it.”

Ottawa-area players well-represented at All-Star Game

Not only did the Ottawa Senators dominate the fan voting as hosts for the NHL All-Star Game, a number of skaters with ties to the national capital region will be on board as well.

Former Ottawa 67’s captain Logan Couture will be San Jose’s lone representative. Brian Campbell, who starred for Brian Kilrea’s troops and won a Memorial Cup in 1999, will represent the Florida Panthers.

As well, Philadelphia Flyers star Claude Giroux, who played in nearby Gatineau, Que., for the Olympiques for three seasons, will skate in the game.

Ice chips:

The Edmonton Oilers have recalled forward Josh Green from the Oklahoma City Barons. Green, a 6-3, 215-pounder from nearby Camrose, Alta., is being recalled by the Oilers for the second time this season.

Los Angeles Kings Dustin Penner during first period action at Rexall Place on March 29, 2011 in Edmonton.

Photograph by: Greg Southam, Edmonton Journal

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